"A good problem to have," most have said of the situation. That's partly true.

"I think that it's a good problem for the coach to have," Cincinnati midfielder Victor Ulloa said in echoing the widely-held sentiment. "Now, it's going to get competitive and that's what we need this year to keep our team going and keep growing, keep getting better. That the inter-competition that we do within ourselves is gonna keep our group on top. It'll be interesting to see what happens this week."

The competition Ulloa alluded to is mostly what makes the situation facing FC Cincinnati acceptable, if only for competitive purposes.

Mix in the inevitable ego that comes with being on an MLS contract and on a team playing well at the moment, and the rising-tide-raises-all-ships mentality becomes a bit leaky as far as the expectation of a mutually beneficial competition for playing time.

Not every player will be satisfied with how the competition battles pan out. Those battles also leave some major questions about how FC Cincinnati will line up against Philadelphia, an MLS Cup playoffs qualifier in 2018 that's coming off a 3-0 rout of Columbus Crew SC.

Philadelphia will also be enjoying the services of first-year designated player and Mexico international Marco Fabian. He missed the Crew SC match due to a suspension.

Fanendo Adi, too, is waiting to return after sustaining an injury March 17 against Portland Timbers.

Koch indicated he still sees the lineup situation and the broader competition for minutes as fluid at this stage of the season.

"It's too early, really, because we speak to the players about opportunities and grabbing opportunities. I think so far we've been relatively lucky that we've been able to give a big group of players an opportunity. It hasn't been a challenge so far, but obviously it's a long, long season," Koch said. "There will be lots of opportunities for players throughout the season, but obviously players respond to their own personal situation in different ways. So far, every individual's in a good place because they've seen they've been presented with an opportunity."

Powell, after a strong showing during a CONCACAF Nations League match and a friendly against Costa Rica, will look to retake his spot in the starting XI this week against Philadelphia.

Waston appeared to pick up some kind of injury as his left calf was being treated after Tuesday's friendly against Jamaica. Depending on his fitness level, he could be a strong candidate to knock Forrest Lasso out of the starting lineup and, perhaps, even the dress list. Lasso will have something to say about that, of course.

Cruz will want to retain his starting spot in the midfield. If he does, that could knock Caleb Stanko off the dress list.

The best competition for minutes will be at forward where, eventually, Mattocks, Adi, and Manneh, the only player out of those three to score this season, will compete for time.

Further, they could be competing to dictate how FC Cincinnati plays stylistically.

Adi is a traditional target man and requires a direct supply line, as well as others playing off of him.

But Mattocks in the Portland match and Manneh in the Portland and New England matches turned heads in Adi's absence. FC Cincinnati's attack was more open, creative, and fluid since they took over for Adi when he went down.